The Do’s & Don’ts Of Texting While Dating

Dating today isn’t just about making a great impression and clicking with each other in-person. Thanks to the wonderful world of technology, it’s like your flirt game has to be on 24/7. Fear not, these easy tips will make you a flirt-text pro in no time!

Texting is a great way to develop a stronger connection in the beginning of the relationship, but it can also lead to a lot of dating disasters if you’re not careful. HollywoodLife.com talked to real guys to find out what things catch their attention via text, and which texting crimes you should never, ever commit.

Texting Rules — Do’s & Don’t’s For Dating Couples

DO text him first. Whether they want to admit it or not, guys get nervous about texting you too. So if they feel like they’re always the ones having to initiate conversation, they’ll start to assume you’re not that into them.

DO play off his flirtexting style. What works for the Tinder guy you swiped right with on Friday, won’t necessarily work with the hottie you met on Hinge on Sunday. Take what Nick, 28, warns, for example: “I’m not big on overly cutesy language. So if a girl texts me saying, ‘Heyyyyyy,’ I think, ‘Great. I’m texting a high-schooler.” Bottom line: If he’s not texting you all like, “HWAYDT????????” (Hey, what are you doing tonight), keep the abbreviations, repeat characters, and acronyms to a minimum.

DON’T text bomb him. It’s tempting, really it is, when you’re head-over-heels for a new guy and want to talk to him every hour of the waking day. But constantly firing off messages is a quick way to send your new relationship straight to Splitsville. “It’s okay to go a few hours without having constant contact,” says Corey, 25. “It’s important to maintain some independence while dating. I don’t want to be with someone who smothers me.”

DO keep tabs on timestamps. Booty calls… they’re not just calls any more. Most guys agreed that any dude who is texting you after 10 p.m. to “see what ur up to?” is looking for a hookup. Proceed with caution.

DON’T overthink your message. That “Maybe I should add an exclamation point so I sound more excited” struggle is real. But it shouldn’t be. Just remember: Dating is supposed to be fun! When you’re with the right person, the conversation will flow naturally—both in person and over iMessage.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? What flirtexting rules do you swear by? Let us know your thoughts below!